Getting into a car accident in Iowa can be inconvenient — for a number of reasons. It can cost you time — you have to deal with your car insurance company and file a claim. There’s also a good chance you will have to take your vehicle to a repair shop. You may be vehicle-less for a while if the damage is bad enough.
Those are just time-based inconveniences. What if you get injured in a car accident in Iowa? You could be dealing with even more problems. There’s the physical pain, but there are also financial costs to think about. You may have to pay for medical expenses such as doctor visits or a hospital stay. If you’re paid hourly, you could lose income if you’re too injured to work.
The good news is a financial settlement could help cover these expenses if you’re ever injured in a car accident in Iowa. The downside is you might not receive the funds immediately — which is when you probably need it the most.
A pre-settlement advance could help solve your problem. This type of funding, which is also sometimes called a “lawsuit loan”, can help pay for car accident-related expenses such as medical bills, car repairs and lost income if you’re unable to work.
If you were injured in a car accident in Iowa and need money right away, consider getting a pre-settlement advance. It can help cover you financially while you wait for your full settlement.
To learn more, please visit Bridgeway’s Guide To Pre-settlement Advances.
What is a pre-settlement advance?
Pre-settlement funding is a cash advance against your pending car accident claim or lawsuit. It’s also known as a “lawsuit loan” too, but that term is not technically correct. Pre-settlement funding is a non-recourse advance, not a loan. That means you don’t have to pay the money back if you don’t win your case.
There were approximately 52,000 car accidents in Iowa in 2023 and almost 1,400 of them resulted in serious injuries. Another nearly 6,500 minor car accident-related injuries were reported in Iowa, along with almost 9,000 possible injuries, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. These figures were similar in 2022 (within 100 injuries in each category), a sign that more car accidents in Iowa are resulting in injuries.
These statistics show that as careful as a driver as you may be, accidents can happen. In the event that you’re injured in a car accident in Iowa, you will want as many financial options available to you as possible.
If you find yourself in one of these accidents but weren’t at fault (or were a passenger), you could be entitled to a cash settlement. Pre-settlement funding makes it so you don’t have to wait up to three years to see any money.
If you’re entitled to a settlement after being in a car accident in Iowa, you might have to wait one to three years, yes years, for your money.
With Bridgeway Legal Funding you could receive your money in days, however. In addition to receiving your money faster, you can get what your case is actually worth. A pre-settlement advance makes it easier to turn down an offer that’s much less than your case’s value. This funding can also help even the playing field against large car insurance companies that have virtually unlimited resources.
Want to get your pre-settlement advance as quickly as possible? Keep reading to learn how Bridgeway Legal Funding’s process works.
We help our clients access pre-settlement funding in three simple steps:
• Have a brief conversation with the plaintiff (you)
• Review your case and determine what we think it will be worth
• Offer you an advance of up to 10 to 20% of what your case’s estimated value
That’s it! Click here to learn more about our pre-settlement funding process and apply.
Can I really get a pre-settlement advance in a few days?
Yes. Getting funds to you quickly is one of the biggest benefits you can get when you work with Bridgeway Legal Funding. We are set up to provide clients with cash within 24 to 48 hours. The process begins by calling (800) 531-4066 or filling out our questionnaire.
How much can I borrow with a pre-settlement advance?
We typically will advance our clients up 10 to 20% of their case’s value. We base the case’s value on three key factors:
• Liability—Whose fault was the accident? If another driver rear ended your vehicle for example, they would be considered liable for any damages.
• Damages—How much money will be awarded following the accident based on injuries and lost wages? Some of the factors calculated to determine total damages include:
• Medical expenses and treatments (current and future)
• Lost wages (determined by how much work you missed times your current wage)
• Future work status (can you still work at all and/or preform your pre-accident duties)
• Insurance—You can typically use the amount of insurance coverage available at the time of the accident. Drivers are required to carry at least the following amount of car insurance in Iowa:
• Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $20,000 minimum per person, $40,000 minimum per accident*
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $20,000 minimum per person, $40,000 minimum per accident*
*Iowa drivers can reject uninsured and underinsured coverages by returning a form to their insurance agency.
Remember, these are minimum car insurance requirements for Iowa drivers. Chances are the person you get into an accident with has additional coverage.
Click here to learn more about how much funding you can get for your pre-settlement advance.
How can I get the most out of my pre-settlement advance?
Bridgeway Legal Funding will do everything we can to help you get the most amount of pre-settlement funding possible. Here are a few things you can do as well to help yourself in the process:
• Hire an attorney that specializes in motor vehicle accidents
• Keep good records of your car accident, medical treatment(s) and injury/injuries
• Request a copy of the police report for your records
Don’t wait to file your car accident lawsuit. In Iowa the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
Apply for your pre-settlement advance today.